Thousands of Kenyans across four counties will face a day-long power outage this Thursday as Kenya Power undertakes scheduled network maintenance. The interruptions, affecting homes, businesses, and critical facilities in Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Homa Bay, and Nandi, are expected to last from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EAT, with Nandi experiencing a slightly longer outage until 6:00 p.m.

The utility company stated the shutdowns are necessary to ensure the long-term stability and reliability of the power grid. For countless small business owners, however, these planned outages translate directly into a day of lost income and disrupted livelihoods, a significant challenge for an economy where SMEs are the backbone.

Mapping the Outages

Kenya Power released a detailed schedule outlining the specific localities that will be affected by the maintenance works. Residents and business operators in these areas are advised to make alternative arrangements to minimize disruption.

• Nairobi County (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.): The outage will affect parts of Ngong Road, including Riruta Police Station, Kabiria Road, Mutuini Primary School, Kivuli Centre, part of the Southern Bypass, and adjacent customers.
• Uasin Gishu County (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.): Areas around Moiben, Kabomoi, and Meibeki will be without power, affecting Moiben Centre, Chebororwo, and Kapsigilai.
• Homa Bay County (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.): The interruption will impact Sindo, Nyandiwa, and Magunga. Key facilities affected include Mbita High School, Victoria Sands, and Ruma National Park.
• Nandi County (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.): Residents in Tembwo and Koimet areas, including Koyo Market and Koyo Tea Factory, will experience the longest disruption.

The High Cost of a Day Without Power

While Kenya Power emphasizes that the maintenance is essential for improving the grid, the economic impact on ordinary Kenyans cannot be ignored. For welders, salon owners, cyber cafes, and small eateries, an eight-hour blackout means a full day's revenue is lost. Studies have previously shown that frequent power outages have a direct, negative impact on the profitability of Kenyan businesses. Many small traders dealing in perishable goods like milk and meat often face significant losses during such interruptions.

The manufacturing sector, a major contributor to the nation's GDP, is particularly vulnerable, with prolonged outages potentially costing the sector millions of shillings per hour in lost production. As the utility company works to upgrade its aging infrastructure, many business owners continue to argue that a reliable power supply is fundamental to putting food on the table and securing Kenya's economic future.

Kenya Power has advised customers to report any outages outside the scheduled times through their official channels, including the USSD code *977#.